Soldering device



March 4, 1930.

J. F. SCHYLANDER SOLDERING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. so, 1925March 4, 1930. J 1. F. 'SCIHYLVANDER 5;

SOLDERING DEVICE Filed Nov. 30, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lQwhecses I40%@%/%' I ma I Patented Mar. 4, 1930 PATENT OFFICE I JOHN F.SOHYLANDER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS SOLDERIN G DEVICE Application filedNovember 30, 1925. Serial No. 72,289.

My invention relates to soldering devices and particularly to apparatusfor feeding solder to the heated tips of soldering irons or theequivalent.

The invention has among its other objects the production of devices ofthe kind described, which are convenient, compact, durable andsatisfactory for use wherever found applicable.

A particular object-0f the invention is to provide improvedsolder-feeding apparatus which can be readily applied to soldering ironsnow in existence;

Another particular object of the invention 16 is to provide improvedmeans for feeding predetermined quantities of solder or predeterminedquantities of solder and flux to the {mated tips of soldering irons orthe equivaent.

One form of the invention is embodied in apparatus forfeedin solder, orsolder and flux, to the heated tip of a soldering iron upon which theapparatus is mounted by means that permit t eap aratus to be quickly andeasily secured to t e iron. The apparatus preferably comprises a tube,or the equivalent, through'which sol'der in the form of a wire or ribbonmay be advanced, the for-' ward end of the tube being arranged to'guidethe solderto the heated tip. Slidably Journaled in means disposedadjacent'thetube is" a plunger, which is" normally heldin a re'-"tracted position by a spring, the plunger be'--' ing adapted to bemanually "advanced to engage the solder. and to advance it so that apredetermined quantity thereof is delivered to the heated tip of thesoldering iron. This and other forms of the invention are described indetail in the followingdescription.

Many other objects and advantages'of the construction herein shown anddescribed will be obvious to those skilled in the art from thedisclosure herein given. 4

To this end my invention consists'in the novel construction, arrangementand combination of parts herein shown and described, and more claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference particularly pointed out in thecharacters indicate like or corresponding parts:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section taken through a soldering deviceembodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a bottom shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section taken ,on line 3-3 of planjview of the device Fig.1;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal section taken through a deviceforminganother form of the invention; and

Fig. 10 is a fra mentary longitudinal section taken through a deviceembodying still another form of the invention.

Referring for the present to Figs. 1 to'i', inclusive, wherein I haveillustrated a soldering device embodying a preferred form of theinvention, the reference character 10 designates a tip resembling thetips usually pro-.

vided in soldering irons or the e uivalent, the tip 10 preferablycomprising a ead portion 11 and a shank portion 12. The shank portion 12projects into a tubular shank 14 and is secured thereto by a rivet 15.Wound around the shank portion 12 and seated in a 'groove16 formedtherein is a resistance unit 18 comprising suitable resistance wire 19wound around a strand of asbestos 20, or the equivalent, the wire 19cbeing referably covered with asbestos ribbon, as indicated at 21 (Fig.7). The two ends of the wire 19 extend through a ertures 23 formed in atube 24 disposed wit in the tubular shank 14, the tube 24 beingpreferably formed from refractory material, such as porcelain. Theresistance unit 18 may be connected to any sis suitable source ofelectrical energy (not shown) b Y conductors 26 which extend through aandle 27 secured to one end of the tubular shank 14.

Extending longitudinally of the tubular shank 14 and spaced therefromisa tube 29 which is preferably curved at its forward end, as indicated at30, the other end of the tube being preferably curved in the oppositedirection as indicated at 31. The purpose of this construction willpresently appear.

Secured to the under side of the tube 29 and extending parallel theretois a tube 32 having a plunger 33 slidably journaled therein, the forwardend of the plunger 33 being adapted to enter a slot 34: formed in thecurved end 30 of the tube 29. It Will be noted that the forward end ofthe plunger 33 is flattened to provide a relatively sharp point 35. Acom ression s run -37 wound around f P e the rear en of the tube 32normally holds the plunger 33 in its retracted position, the

spring 37 having one of its ends resting against a cap member '38secured to the i at plunger 33. The construction is such that the pluner33 and cap 38 may be moved to the left FFig. 1) against the action ofthe spr ng" 37 untilthe cap engages the tube. '32 which serves as astop.

The tube 29 is made circular in cross-section to accommodate solder 39provided in the .form of a wire having a circular crosssection.Ifdesired, the solder 39 maybe provided with a core 40 of flux. Asbestshown in Fig. 1 the curved end of thetube 29 is adapted to guide thesolder 39 to the soldering'dploint on the tip 10. A leaf spring 36 rigiy secured to the tube 32 has its free end ahgned with the slot 34 and isadapted to engage the solder 39.

Anysuitable means ma be provided for securing thetubes 29 an 32 to orrelative to the tubular shank 14. However, I preferably provide one ormore pairs of chps42 now in existence, as the 4; ps

shaped to conform to the tube 29 and the tubular shank 14, the clipsbeing adapted to be clamped upgn the tube 29 and the tubular shank 14 bIts 44, or equivalents, for the purpose. bviousl y, the tubes 29 and 32and the apparatus carried thereby may be quickly and easily mounted u onsoldering irons 42 may, be made toconform to'the shanks of saidsoldering The 0 eration of the improved device issubstant1ally-asfollows: A length of solder 39 is inserted in the tube29 in such manner that it projects from the curved end 30. The 4resistance element 14'is then operatively connected to an suitablesource of electrical ener (not s own) and after the ti has be- .comeeated, the cap member 38 is isplaced against the actionof the spring 37to cause the point of the plunger 33 to engage the solder 39 andadvanceit a predetermined distance toward the tip 10. The tip 10 fuses thesolder brought in contact with it during this feeding operation and theoperator may apply the fused solder to the work. Obviously,predetermined quantities of solder may be fed to the tip 10 as desired,the plunger 33 being retracted by the spring 37 after each feedingoperation. 36 prevents the solder from being retracted with the plunger.

In Fig. 8 I have shown another form of the invention embodied inapparatus adapted to be mounted upon a soldering iron and adapted tosupply solder to the heated tip thereof. Any suitable means may beprovided for securing the apparatus shown in Fig. 8 to the solderingiron but I preferably use the aforementioned clips42, or equivalents,for the purpose. The apparatus shown in Fig. 8 comprises a tube 29having curved ends 30 and 31', the curved end 3O being adapted Thespring to guide solder to the heated tip of .the soldering iron to whichtheapparatus is applied. Secured to the under side of the tube 29 is atube 32 in which a plunger 33 is slidably journale'd. the plunger 33being held in a retracted position by a spring 37 having one Of its endsresting against-a head 38 formed upon the plunger 33*. Pivoted to theforward end of the plunger 33 by a pin 34 is a member 35? having ahollow conical portion 35 disposed in the tube 29, the member 35 beingarranged to project through slots 29 and 33 formed in the tubes 29and33. respectively. The member 35 is preferabl formed with a shoulder35 engageable wit 1- the forward end of the plunger 33. The

conical member 35 is preferably provided with a relatively sharp annularedge 35 en-. t

37" is'permitted to retract the plunger 33,

the member 35 falls into a position wherein the shoulder 35 restsagainst the forward end of the plunger 33 and the sharp edge 35 glidesover the surface of the solder 39. Ohviousl a soldering iron which isprovided with t e apparatus shown in Fig. 8 maybe 0 rated insubstantially the same manner as tli soldering device illustrated inFigs. 1 to 7, inclusive. V

Fig.- 9 illustrates another form of the invention embodied in apparatuscomprising tubes 29 and 32, the tube 3.2 being secured to the under sideof the tube 29' and being adapted to slidably journal a plunger 33provided with a head 38*. Wound around hold the plunger in a retractedposition, the

construction being such that the plunger may be advanced against theaction of the spring a distance which is limited by the lengths of slots29 and 32 formed in the tubes 29 and 32 respectively. The forward end ofthe plunger 32 extends through the slots 29 and 32* and carries atubular member 35 provided with forwardly extending resilient fingers35. As illustrated, the fingers 35 are provided with inturnedends-adapted to engage a length of solder 39 inserted in the tube 29 Thefingers 35 are adapted to bite into the solder 39 when the plunger 33 isdisplaced against the action of the spring 37 f This permits apredetermined length of solder to be fed to a soldering iron to whichthe tubes 29? and 32 have been secured.

When the spring 37 is permitted to retract the plunger 38 the fingers35" yield and glide over the surface'of the solder.

In Fig; I have illustrated still another form of the invention embodiedin apparatus comprising tubes 29 and 32 the tube 32 being secured to theunder side of the tube'29 and being adapted to slidably journal aplunger 33 which is normally held in a retracted position by a spring 37interposed between the tube 32 and a head 38 formed upon the plunger.The forward end of the plunger 33 projects throughsuitable slots formedin the tubes 29 and 32 and carries a tubular member the tubular member35 a being disposed within the tube 29 and prefplunger 33 is advancedagainst the action of the spring 37 the wall of the aperture 35" bindsagainst the fingers 35 and causes their free ends to bite into thesolder 39, where,

upon the solder is advanced a distance substantially equal to thedistance which the plunger is advanced. When the spring 37 is permittedto retra'ct the plunger 33, the wall of the aperture 35 is disengagedfrom the fingers 35 and the fin ers sprlng back into positions whichpermit them to glide over the surface of the solder 39 Obviously, theapparatus shown in Fig. 10 can be applied to a soldering iron insubstantially the same manner as that in which the feeding apparatusshown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, is attached to a soldering iron, andit may be made to function in substantially the same manner.

In those forms of the invention illustrated in Fi 8 to 10, inclusive,the ends of the tubes 29', 29 and 29 adapted to guide the solder to theheated tips of the soldering irons are slotted to provide spring fingers36 which will prevent the solder from being retracted into the tubesafter each feeding operation.

'Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various.immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing fromthe spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement andcombination of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with means for guiding solder to the tip of asoldering iron, and a slidably journaled plunger engageable with thesolder for advancing the solder in said guiding means, of means forquickly mounting said guiding means and said plunger upon the solderingiron.

2. The combination with a soldering iron, of apparatus for feedingsolder to the tip thereof, said apparatus comprising means spaced fromthe soldering iron for guiding the solder to the tip, and a slidablyjournaled plunger for advancing the solder through the guiding means.

3. The combination with a soldering iron, of means for feeding solder tothe tip, said means comprising a tube spaced from said iron and having acurved end for guiding the solder to said tip, and a slidably journaledplunger having an end adapted to enter said tube, said end beingengageable with the sol- 1 der for advancing it through said tube.

4. The combination with a soldering iron, of means for feeding solder tothe tip, said means comprising a tube spaced from said iron and having acurved end for guiding the solder to said tip, a slidably journaledplunger having an. end adapted to enter said tube, said end beingengageable with the solder for advancing it through said tube, and meansfor retracting the plunger.

5. In combination with a soldering iron, a conduit for solder disposedparallel to said iron and terminating adjacent the tip thereof, aretractable plunger for feeding solid solder from said conduit to saidtip, and a member on said plunger adapted to engage solid solder withinsaid conduit on its forward movement and to slide past said solder onretraction.

6. In combination with a soldering iron, a conduit for solder disposedparallel to said iron and terminating adjacent the tip thereof, meansassociate with said conduit for preventing the retraction of solder, aretractconduit for solder disposed parallel to said iron and terminatingadjacent the tip thereof, a retractable plun or for feeding solid solderfrom said comfuit to said tip, and means carried by said lunger anddlsposed in said conduit for a vancing said solder, said meanscomprising a plurality of jaws adapted to grip said solder on theforward stroke of said plunger and to slide past said solder on theretractive movement thereof.

8. In combination with a soldering iron,

a conduit for sol der disposed parallel to said iron and terminatinadjacent the tip thereof, means associated with said conduit forpreventing the retraction. of solder, a retractable plunger for feedingsolid solder from said conduit to said tip, and means carried by saidplunger and disposed in said conduit for advancing said solder, saidmeans comprising a plurality of jaws adapted to grip said solder on theforward stroke of said plunger and to slide past said solder on theretractive movement thereof.

. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto

